Education and Separation

Dear Mr. Obama,
Change. A word that frightens many individuals when said—change, has the ability to alter and create new worlds, better societies. Attached to the term, however is the negative connotation of destruction due to the possibility of failure that comes along with the concept. In today’s society a change is necessary for our development. According to the Teaching Tolerance* organization, at least eight African Americans, three whites, and one Latino becomes victims of a hate crime today in America. This idea demonstrates the lack of unity in today’s society as people, like those years ago, separate themselves according to racial backgrounds. This division has the effect of delaying us as a people. Another problem that arises in today’s society in the steady decline in African Americans advancing in educational pursuits. It is said that one black student drops out of high school every 26 seconds. Due to these things, the idea of change is developed. This immense risk raises the bar to find someone who will carefully roll the dice for change. A change that would bridge the achievement gap between African Americans and other races, along with unifies all races together. I call on you, Mr. Barack Obama to make this necessary transition occur.

African Americans have, as many are aware, gone through a tremendous amount of trials and tribulations in order to be granted the right to be considered equal to white individuals. The strive for equality began after the journey to become “free” from the bondage of slavery, entering into a time known as Reconstruction. Due to this transition from slaves to free men, white Americans were unsure about how to take on this sudden change. Jim Crow laws (1619) were then placed into effect, establishing the idea of superiority of white men. Due to the inferior qualities affiliated with African Americans they were treated poorly. Blacks, under Jim Crow law were made to use color-designated water fountains, bathrooms, and dining stores. Black men were beaten and taunted by white individuals for any ideas noted as disrespectful. The story of Emmett Till helps us to understanding the gruel unmoral acts that occurred during this time period. Till, a fourteen year old black male who lived in Chicago, was sent on a trip to Mississippi by his mother. He returned dead and disfigured, after whistling at a white woman in an alternate world of his own where looking at a white woman can cause death. It is through Till that the idea of hate is changed into something understandable. Many were lynched on account of these actions seen as offensive to white people. The inhumanity shown through various acts that occurred during these times of Jim Crow laws would seem absurd; however before you question its absurdity consider looking out your window as the realities of these problems can be seen right outside of your bedroom window.

I want to walk golden streets, with white lilies scattered about. Walk past golden gates and into my own home. I want to peer out at glittering blue seas each morning outside of my bedroom window. When I do look of my window, I will never get the opportunity to see this. These ideas are merely fictions of the imagination. The grass will not always be green and this is a reality that we as a people must accept. However changes to get us closer to this fantasy can be made. After the end of the Jim Crow era people of all races have become equal under the law. Although “separate, but equal” is no longer printed, that is not the actuality in our society. Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians live in their own separate communities. It is through this division that one understands that we have once again continued the division we’ve so determinedly tried to bring an end to.

In my own life there have been many situations that reminds me every day that the partition from the past still remain. “Its cuz’ I’m black”, I said after my friend made a judgmental remark to me about my “weaker than weak” basketball skills. He and I were in the park after classes due to a bet I had lost. If I did not eat all of my food on that given day I had to go to the basketball court and play with him. The outcome—as you know, went against me and there we were on the court. Sweat shorts on and ready to play one of my favorite games, I was excited. Friends for over five years, we took the court like giants ready for battle. As wind rushed by us, David checked the ball to me. I stood there feet planted ready, firm. Waiting. The game had begun. I looked up toward the basket as he followed behind me, ready to “block any shot attempts”. At 6 foot 2 he toward over my small frame and as I stepped up to take the shot I became fully aware of this as his lanky body came into the angle of my shot. The shot went off however but he was not the problem. My shot had not touched the rim at all. “Air ball” he cried continuously. “Air Ball, Air Ball, Air Ball”. Then he said that he could not believe it. That he could not believe a black person made air balls. I watched him. Watched my friend of a different race stereotype me and laugh about it. I laughed too however, then I continued my own taunting by stating that he was discriminating against me cuz’ I’m black, a statement made amongst black teenagers that transforms into a joke. I was embarrassed. Embarrassed that he would even think of saying something like that although we are close. Our relationship had never leaked into that ocean. We have always remained contained in our own area, forgetting about the dramas that were suppose to separate us. Racism ended it all—ended us. It is because of this strong hold it has on society, that I hope you will be able to bring a calm to the situation of racism.

Unity means the gathering of people together. These gatherings however not only bring people closer together physically, but on a deeper, emotional level. This emotional level, allows us to reflect on ourselves as well as on one another. All too often in our own world however we find such togetherness in groups consisting of people who look like us, dress like us, and are from the same place we come from. Many wish not to know those outside of the circle. A large circle, with few people within it. Before you question of the importance of approaching this growing problem, please do keep in mind that every day someone commits a hate crime. It is due to this lack of unity there has been an increase of violence against people of different ethnic background. On April 14th, 2008 at 6pm an African American male was walking down the street of Crown Heights when he was ambushed by Jewish boys with pepper sprays, who attacked him with it. Racial attacks, such as this occur frequently in the Crown Heights neighborhood, on both ends of the playing field. If there was more understanding of the differences people have among one another, it is my belief that these violent actions would not occur. This incident, though much more dramatic than my own, occurs on a day to day basis, causing an abundant amount of pain.

In order to combat these malevolent acts various workshops in the communitiesexperiencing the most hardships should be established. These workshops would revolve around the idea of tolerance. This outreach to the various communities on their own turf, in their own surroundings, would address the problem in a calm manner. It is in this way that allows not to point fingers at one another on the basis of who causes the problems. It is in these workshops that trained volunteers will educate those in the community about ways to tolerate others and the methods to avoid confrontations. These workshops should present information, but also include active learning allowing people to participate in a way that would help them to understand the importance of acceptance. The next stage of this process should then be to develop different videos demonstrating the backgrounds behind those of different values. After this process occurs a phase of interaction between the different kinds of people should occur, and if people still feel uncomfortable with those they dislike, further actions of one on one time with staff members should occur. This one on one process, along with advertisement of the issue and the workshop would cost the government a few thousand dollars, however the price of having to find space for dead bodies and employing more police officers is far more for the state to handle.

Education is an important part of the life of many individuals. It is the gateway to success. Too many African American children are not seeing this however, causing them to be left back in the race toward success. Statistics gathered from the R.A.A.M.P (2006) organization displays such a struggle within the race as 60% of African American males do not graduate with their cohorts, 85% percent of African American males are placed in Special Education, 42% of African American males graduate nationwide, and more African American males receive their GED in prison compared to receiving their diploma in high school. These poor numbers display the struggle within the development of African Americans. I, myself have witnessed this same struggle in my own community, making the numbers genuine to me. Also it should be noted that our society also relates to that of those living through the era of Jim Crow, which can be seen through "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow" through a different learning.

"This is why black people can't go anywhere. Can't do anything" My friend stated as we made our way home. What was I going to say? What was there to say? Were the statistics right? My mouth opened, but I said nothing. I continued to walk. Running away from my thoughts. Running away from my friend's accusations. These statements continued on throughout most of my life thereafter. Or it had become far more present in my life. A couple of days later another friend asked me if she was "college material", if they accept "people like her" into “those” schools. "Yes" I said without really knowing, confused about my place as being of minority status and sure she was too. We watched each other trying to put the pieces together. We had finally admitted within ourselves that we are at a disadvantage in life. We heard it many times, and questioned it within ourselves. In our lives we see no disadvantages, because we cannot see the other side. In "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow" by Richard Wright, Richard too searches for understanding as well. He seeks to comprehend the way in which he is suppose to act with white people. He seeks out the black community in order to do so, along with making his own observations. The lessons he learns are tremendous and help him to cope with the intolerance he faces. We seek to gain the understanding he has gained. His gaining of this information presented the line between life and death. In order to continue onward in life he must gather this information. In my own life this is the case. The understanding of the present disadvantage that we are in makes all the difference in how to approach the situation and bring an end to it. This knowledge would need not only to impact us, as it did in Richard Wright's story, but also our community as a whole. This shortcoming sets up an uneven playing field slides African Americans at the bottom of the sea-saw causing many to say that black people can't do anything, as my friend stated. This understanding, as in Richard's situation would create an idea of survival. One survives in our society by having a high paying job, which would be able to supply us the means of living, unlike in Richard's society one works upward for advancement. What makes the difference between our current day situation and Richard's is the fact that we have the resources in order to make a change and educate ourselves. Guiding him were individuals, who too were just as confused as he on the circumstances he lived in. Blacks must make the conscious decision to open their eyes and see the world for what it truly is. Back then, during these times of discrimination, which was legal, there was no choice but to learn how to survive. As people of color this conscious decision must be made. It is a choice, that truly isn’t a choice (due to laws), but if one wished to provide for their families this decision must be made. Like myself, my friend, and Richard, people will have to start seeing the truth to the situation, but unlike Richard, viable support and guidance can be provided.

In order to fix this ongoing problem dealing with education, or lack of, in terms of African Americans more government funding should be provided. As a public school student I understand the ins and the outs, for the most part, of school funding. Schools provide school lunch and through this they are given money from the government, after parents fill out various forms. As school begins in September faculty hands out these forms and inform us of its importance from the time we are given it. Many students however, who do not eat school lunch do not bother to fill out the forms. This leads to the forging of forms by the school itself, who knows the government does not provide them with enough money and depends on the money gathered from the filled forms. The government does not seem to know how much text books costs for a total of 1,541 students. Additional funding must also be made, for advance placement courses, and honors classes. In my school a class of 30 is perfect, a class filled with 20 students however is far worst, because the school believes that they will not get enough funding to maintain a class of only 20 students or less. With more funding there would be less students in a class, which creates more one on one time for the students and helps them to learn the material. There should also be more free government funded after school programs, which would provide students a place to do their home work along with develop skills they learned in school.

As you can see Mr. President, you’ll be taking a seat in the oval office; however you will be asked to rise up to the many challenges revolving around racial issues. I hope that you will rise to the challenge, although these issues have been going on for a long time, I believe that you have the ability to bring about a change to these current situations reflected in the past.